House File 524 - Introduced HOUSE FILE BY HEATON Passed House, Date Passed Senate, Date Vote: Ayes Nays Vote: Ayes Nays Approved A BILL FOR 1 An Act relating to training and other technical assistance to be 2 provided to medical assistance providers. 3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 4 TLSB 2567HH 82 5 pf/gg/14 PAG LIN 1 1 Section 1. NEW SECTION. 249A.29A PROVIDER TRAINING AND 1 2 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. 1 3 1. Prior to implementing any new waiver and periodically 1 4 during the duration of the waiver, the department shall 1 5 provide training to the affected providers. The training 1 6 shall be comprehensive, and shall provide instruction that is 1 7 based upon consistent interpretation and uniform communication 1 8 of the program rules, provider manual, and program 1 9 expectations. 1 10 2. The department shall provide technical assistance to 1 11 providers regarding compliance with medical assistance program 1 12 rules and regulations. Medical assistance program auditors 1 13 shall provide assistance to providers, in a nonpunitive 1 14 manner, in understanding program requirements and in applying 1 15 compliance provisions. 1 16 3. For the purpose of this section, "waiver" means waiver 1 17 as defined in section 249A.29. 1 18 EXPLANATION 1 19 This bill directs the department of human services to 1 20 provide training to medical assistance providers prior to 1 21 implementing any new waiver and periodically during the 1 22 duration of the waiver. The training is to be comprehensive, 1 23 provide instruction that is based upon consistent 1 24 interpretation and uniform communication of the program rules, 1 25 provider manual, and program expectations. The bill also 1 26 directs the department to provide technical assistance to 1 27 providers regarding compliance with medical assistance program 1 28 rules and regulations, and medical assistance program auditors 1 29 are to provide assistance to providers, in a nonpunitive 1 30 manner, in understanding program requirements and in applying 1 31 compliance provisions. 1 32 LSB 2567HH 82 1 33 pf:nh/gg/14